An expansive U.S. economy and six months of overall manufacturing growth are generating optimism for the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) as it prepares to meet the demands of industry clients in 2014. “The automation industry has benefited from a strong showing in manufacturing production and capacity utilization in 2013,” says Piercarlo “PC” Romano, CSIA board chairman. “Onshoring of high-tech manufacturing and inexpensive natural gas are two tailwinds that should help to extend the momentum for CSIA members into next year and beyond.”

According to CSIA, automation is driving increased productivity as industry clients—from CEOs to plant engineers—have improved manufacturing within their existing facilities. Romano adds that CSIA integrator members expect the course of rebuilding and replacing older control systems to continue. “CSIA member companies provide the project management skills and execution systems required by our industry clients and are exclusively focused on delivering successful projects for them,” says Romano. “Today, more plant managers, directors of operations and others are engaging our integrators in larger and more diverse solutions to fit their automation needs.”

In addition to expanding the influence of control system integrators, CSIA is developing online platforms and other products and services to increase value to CSIA’s membership and the industry at large. While the majority of CSIA’s integrator members are located in North America, Romano says CSIA forecasts significant growth prospects worldwide.